MLL roundup: Mackrides (Malvern Prep) helps Chesapeake whip Hamilton

Midfielders Matt Mackrides (Malvern Prep) and Ben Hunt and scored four points apiece as the Chesapeake Bayhawks blew out the Hamilton Nationals, 17-10, at Ron Joyce Stadiumin MLL action Saturday. Hunt’s three goals included a 2-pointer while Mackrides contributed three goals and an assist.

Goalkeeper Kip Turner recorded 13 saves to anchor an impressive defensive effort for Chesapeake, which snapped a two-game losing streak and improved its record to 5-4. Faceoff specialist Adam Rand had a huge night, capturing 18 of 29 draws to help the Bayhawks (5-4) control possession.

“When you are unselfish and share the ball, everyone gets involved and you have the type of balanced scoring we did tonight,” Chesapeake head coach Dave Cottle said. “Matt Mackrides (former Philly MLL Player of the Week) continues to be a sparkplug on offense while Ben Hunt has been practicing better and is beginning to play really well.”

Midfielder Matt Abbott scored two goals and gobbled up five ground balls for Chesapeake, which broke open a close game with a strong second quarter onslaught. Midfielder Michael Kimmel and attackman John Grant Jr. both contributed two assists for the Bayhawks, who outshot the Nationals 57-37 and won the ground ball battle 37-27.

Mackrides totaled two goals and an assist as the Bayhawks outscored the Nationals 6-3 in the third quarter to take their largest lead at 16-6. Defenseman Barney Ehrmann provided great man-to-man coverage and scooped six ground balls while long stick defensive midfielder Michael Simon was extremely active and garnered four grounders.

Cottle and defensive coordinator Tony Resch (La Salle assistant) decided to play rookie Jesse Bernhardt on close defense and the former University of Maryland All-American limited Kevin Cunningham to a goal and an assist.

Kevin Crowley (Shipley assistant coach, former Philly MLL Player of the Week) had a goal and defenseman Tucker Durkin (La Salle) two groundballs for Hamilton (6-3).

Boston 13, Ohio 10

The Cannons improved to 4-5 with the victory over last-place Ohio (1-8) as defenseman Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco, last week’s Philly MLL Player of the Week) had three groundballs and defenseman P.T Ricci (Conestoga) had one groundball.
Denver 17, Charlotte 11

Mason Poli (Downingtown East, former Philly MLL Player of the Week) had a goal and a groundball for Charlotte (4-5) in its loss to Denver (9-0).

Editor’s note: The MLL Philly Player of the Week appears regularly as the region gears for the MLL Championship Weekend, presented by Smartlink, at PPL Park on Saturday and Sunday August 24-25. Tickets for the two-day event are available at MajorLeagueLacrosse.com/championship-weekend/